Ditch-stop.



Patented May I4, 190:.

E. M. JOHNSON.

DITCH STOP.

7 Applicatio n filed'Jan. so, 1901.)

(No Model.)

INVENTOR. E. M Johnson. 4

ATTORNEY.

THE NORM-5 PETERS co. Pum'mmgol. WASHINGTON. 'u. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ENOCH M. JOHNSON, OF BEULAH, COLORADO.

DITCH-STOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 674,314, dated May 14,1901.

Application filed January 30, 1901. Serial No. 45,397. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ENOOH M. JOHNSON, a citizenofthe United States ofAmerica, residing at Beulah, in the county of Pueblo and State ofColorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inDitch-Stops; and

I do declare the following to be a full, clear,

My invention relates to improvements in.

ditch stops or dams, being especially intended for use by those whosebusiness it is to superintend the irrigation of land in sections wherethe rainfall is not sufficient to supply the needs of vegetation.

My object is to provide a device of this class which shall be sim ple inconstruction, economical in cost, and reliable, durable, and efficientin use; and to these ends theinvention consists of the featureshereinafter described and claimed, all of which will be fully understoodby reference to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated anembodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective viewillustrating the devicein use. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device shown in detail.linesa: a; and 'yy, respectively, viewed in the direction of the arrows.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numerals 5 and 6, respectively, designate two blades or wings,which are pivotally connected at their lower extremities, as shown at 7.The central portions of these blades overlap each other for a distancedepending upon their adjustment, as hereinafter explained. To the blade5 is applied, near its inner edge 5 a metal strip or arm 7, whichextends from the lower pivotal extremity of the blade upwardly itsentire length and proj ects above the device, forming a handle 7 a tofacilitate adjustment. To this handle, just above the upper edge of theblade, is attached a keeper 8, consisting of a metal piece whichoverlaps the blade 6 and holds the two blades Figs. 3 and 4 are sectionstaken on the together at the top in proper operative relation. To theupper part of the blade 6 is attached a handle 6*, provided with akeeper 9, overlapping the blade 5. As the handles are spread apart orseparated the lap of the blades is increased and the width of the devicediminished, while as the handles are removed toward each other thecentral lap is diminished and the width of the device increased. The twoblades are provided at their upper and outer edges or corners withupwardly-projecting parts 5 and 6, respectively, which engage thehandle-keepers and form stops limiting the outward or spreading movementof the handles.

In using the device it is placed in the ditch and the handles movedtoward each other until the blades cut into the opposite sides of theditch and form a positive stop or dam for the Water, which is thusdiverted into a lateral channel, (see Fig. 1,) which figure shows asection of the ditch where myimproved device is located. The arm 7stiffens the blade 5, and the latter forms a support for the blade 6when the device is in use, since'the latter is so located that the arm 7is opposite the direction of the current or the flow of the water in theditch, and thus greatly reinforces the device. This feature alsoprevents the blades from spreading or bulging apart, since the weakerblade 6 is pressed by the force of the water against the blade 5, whichis reinforced or stiffened by the arm 7, as aforesaid.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is- 1. Aditch stop ordam,comprising two overlapping blades, pivotally connected at theirlower extremities, and respectively provided with handles projectingabove the top of the device, and a reinforcing-strip applied lengthwiseto one of the blades on the opposite side from the cooperating blade.

2. A ditch stop or dam, consisting of two pivoted, overlapping blades,one of them being provided with a reinforcing-strip extending lengthwisethereof on the opposite side from the cooperating blade.

3. A ditch stop or dam comprising two pivoted overlapping blades,handles rigidly attached to the respective blades, a reinforcing-stripapplied to one of the blades lengthwise and forming a continuation ofits handle, and a keeper attached to the handle of each blade andarranged to overlap the upper edge of the opposite blade for the purposeset forth.

4:. A ditch stop or dam comprising two overlapping blades pivotallyconnected together, a reinforcing-strip attached to one blade lengthwisethereof, and extending above the blade to form an adjustinghandle, ahandle attached to the opposite blade, and keepers applied to thehandles of the respective blades, the keeper belonging to the handle ofeach blade being arranged to overlap and embrace the upper edge of theopposite blade.

5. A ditch stop or dam comprising tWo pivoted overlapping blades, ahandle attached to each blade, a reinforcing-strip applied to one of theblades lengthwise and forming a continuation of its handle, and a keeperattached to each handle and overlapping the opposite blade, each bladebeing provided with a stop located in the path of the handle andkeepers, as the handles are separated.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ENOOH M. JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

1-1. 0. BAKER, H. P. Vomns.

